Wavelength conversion in a quantum well polarization insensitive amplifier

Polarization insensitivity of the gain saturation properties of a 1.3 μm semiconductor amplifier with tensile and compressive strain quantum well active region are used to demonstrate a WDM wavelength conversion configuration in which the outputs at the two wavelengths are separated on the basis of polarization. Use of orthogonal polarizations allows operation of a wavelength converter without an optical frequency filter at the output. Alternatively, inherent polarization insensitivity of the device can be used for wavelength conversion of an arbitrarily polarized signal.